Monday This and That

My home...It is my retreat and resting place from wars,

I try to keep this corner as a haven against the tempest

outside, as I do another corner in my soul.

Michel Eyquem De Montaigne

Friday night was special. The rain held off until well after I got home, and when it finally did come, I was so prepared.  Off went the lights and the curtain was pulled.  Turned out not to me much of a storm, but it did cool the night down some.  Saturday I was up early and headed out to the supermarket by 9 am.  It was so nice and cool.  A great touch of fall to be sure, but only a tantalizing hint of what was to come because it seemed that the heat had returned by the time I got out of the store. 

As you may have already guessed, the pictures today are of my home.  Not as clear as I would like as they were taken from my cell phone.  I've been saving up for a new and better camera.  The picture above is in my living room above my computer work space.

So, the rest of my Saturday was spent slaving away in the kitchen.  The newness of experimenting with sodium free recipes has worn off, and cooking has once again become a chore to me.  It wasn't always that way.  I used to love to cook, so much so that I took a certification course in catering and used to work parties with my sister-in-law. I thought perhaps I had cooked myself out, but this Wednesday we are having a farewell party for a co-worker who is moving onto better pastures and are all bringing in a dish.  I find myself looking forward to putting it together. Perhaps I just need a crowd to cook for. I've chosen to bring a cold pasta salad of sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, olives, and chunks of mozzarella cheese. 

This is one of hubby's collection of masks.  This one is from Africa.  It's quite a magnificent piece.

The above mask is from Columbia. 

This is a little altar set up by the entrance door.  It changes throughout the seasons. 

This beautiful arrangement stands next to my china closet.  It's about five feet tall and everything but the roses is made from wicker. They stand in the following beautiful vase.

Forgive the blurriness.  My knees would not let me kneel to get a better view. And finally.....

One of my favorites.  Hubby and I have had this painting almost twenty years now.  It holds a prominent place over my dining room table.

So, there you have a short tour of some of my favorite things, some of the things make my home a home, a place to come home to and kick off my shoes and want to stay awhile.  More to come, but for now, I will leave you with the following:

What is home?

“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind?

Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that.

It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength

of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes,

kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first

church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what

is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when

they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased;

where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where

children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough

for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important

as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings

from happiness. That is home. God bless it!”

Unknown